Njombe
The Government has announced that Njombe Region is set to emerge as a new investment hub for Tanzania’s mining sector following the discovery of strategic Rare Earth Elements (REE), specifically Neodymium (Nd) and Praseodymium (Pr)—minerals increasingly vital to modern global technologies.
Speaking at Mkiu Village in Ludewa District, the Resident Mines Officer for Njombe, Engineer Lucas Mlekwa, said exploration activities are currently being undertaken by Hongji Mining Co. Ltd in partnership with local stakeholders.
He noted that China represents the principal market for the minerals due to the rapid expansion of its industrial and high-technology manufacturing sectors.
Engineer Mlekwa explained that Rare Earth Elements play a critical role in the production of electric vehicle batteries, wind power generation equipment and a wide range of electronic devices used worldwide.
“Njombe Region is opening a new chapter of development through these strategic mineral resources, which are central to the global green technology transition,” he said.
According to the Resident Mines Officer, the company has successfully completed the first phase of exploration and has now entered an advanced second phase of detailed investigation prior to the commencement of commercial production across a concession covering approximately 280 square kilometres.
He further revealed that more than TSh 1 billion has already been paid in compensation to local residents who vacated the project area, while the Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) process is in its final stages ahead of mining operations.
Commenting on project implementation, Director of Hongji Mining Co. Ltd, Yahya Mohamed, said the company has opted to deploy In-Situ Leaching technology, an environmentally responsible extraction method that minimises land disturbance by avoiding large open pits or underground mining operations.
He emphasised that the technology will enable sustainable mineral extraction while safeguarding surrounding communities and ecosystems.
“Our objective is to ensure that the people of Njombe directly benefit from the project through employment opportunities, business participation and improved economic livelihoods,” Mohamed said.
The rare earth project is expected to significantly strengthen the contribution of the mining sector to Njombe’s regional economy, attract new investment and position Tanzania to benefit more competitively from the rapidly expanding global rare earth minerals market.
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